The young boy stood near the base of the grand mahogany staircase.
He was five years old, with bright brown eyes and soft dark hair.
His little hands gripped the fabric of his dark suit pants tightly.
Elena had brought her son, Leo, to work because his daycare had closed.
She had kept him quietly in the back staff room all morning long.
When he heard the loud shouting, the frightened boy had run out.
Victoria turned her head toward the small child with absolute disgust showing.
Victoria: What is this filthy child doing inside my private residence?
Elena: Please, leave him out of this, he is just a little boy!
Victoria stepped away from Elena and took three fast strides toward Leo.
She raised her hand threateningly, pointing her finger directly at the boy.
Victoria: Get this street child out of my sight right now!
Leo began to cry loudly, terrified by the loud, angry woman.
He covered his face with his small hands as tears spilled over.
Julian's eyes widened as he recognized the tiny silver pendant around Leo's neck.
It was a custom family heirloom that Julian had given away six years ago.
Six years ago, Julian had fallen deeply in love with a humble nurse.
When his traditional family forced them apart, she disappeared from his life.
He had spent years searching for her, unaware that she had his child.
Elena was that nurse's younger sister, hiding the boy to keep him safe.
Julian looked from the crying boy to Elena, realization crashing down on him.
The boy in the small navy suit was his lost biological son.
Julian: Leo... is that really you?
Victoria: Who cares who he is, get him out of my mansion!
Victoria reached down as if to shove the terrified young boy aside.
Her cruel fingers hovered inches away from the trembling child's shoulder.
Julian snapped, his instinct to protect his flesh and blood taking over.